Seattle Diwali Celebration Disrupted by Far-Right Activists

Two far-right activists interrupted a Diwali celebration in Seattle, displaying placards that called for the deportation of Hindus and referenced a conspiracy theory about the replacement of Christians. The incident, witnessed by festivalgoers, including children, led to condemnation from U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and various Hindu advocacy groups. This disruption occurred a day after former President Donald Trump participated in Diwali celebrations at the Oval Office.

Details of the Disruption

The disturbance occurred during the Diwali: Lights of India festival, a free cultural event held at the Seattle Center Armory on November 7. Activists Jake Lang and Thomas Allen arrived at the venue carrying American flags and signs with slogans such as “Deport All Dot Heads” and “Stop Hindu Replacement of Christians.” The first slogan is an ethnic slur aimed at South Asians, while the second resonates with the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory. Online footage shows the men engaging with attendees until they were escorted out.

Jayapal, who represents Washington’s 7th Congressional District, shared the footage on social media, expressing disgust over the “vile and racist display.” She emphasized that Diwali is a significant holiday and should be celebrated safely. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) spokesperson, Pushpita Prasad, remarked that the incident is part of a broader pattern of increasing Hinduphobia and hate against the Hindu and Indian American community.

Profiles of Jake Lang and Thomas Allen

Jake Lang, 31, is known for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He faced federal charges related to the assault on police officers and served four years in prison before receiving a pardon from Donald Trump in 2025. Currently, Lang pursues the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat in Florida while still engaging in controversial demonstrations and promoting conspiracy theories.

Lang has been contacted by law enforcement several times this year. Notably, in May, he led a book-burning protest in Dearborn, Michigan, and vandalized an anti-ICE sculpture in Minnesota in March. He has also clashed with politicians, such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in March.

Thomas Allen, 37, known as Tommy Allen, regularly attends demonstrations and shares his opinions on social media. In September 2026, he faced charges of assault and violating probation after an incident in Portland, Oregon.

Possible Legal Consequences

It is uncertain whether charges will be brought against Lang or Allen for this disruption. Washington state law defines malicious harassment as a hate crime, including acts motivated by race, religion, or national origin. While offensive speech might not constitute a crime, any alleged threats, assault, or trespassing would be evaluated separately.

Public Reaction and Condemnation

Indian-American public figures and Hindu advocacy groups have strongly denounced the demonstration. Ajay Jain Bhutoria, an Indian-American businessman, described it as “pure hate and bigotry,” emphasizing that such rhetoric is unacceptable. CoHNA labeled the incident as Hinduphobic and urged Hindu communities to be vigilant.

Activist Sunita Vishwanath, co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights, also criticized the demonstration, highlighting the escalating hostility toward Hindu communities. HinduPACT encouraged reporting any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

This incident has amplified concerns about anti-Hindu sentiment and the safety of cultural celebrations in the U.S. It follows another recent plot to attack a Hindu temple in Aurora, Illinois, for which a 19-year-old was arrested, escalating fears of religious prejudice.